Comment is Freed

Comment is Freed, by Sam and Lawrence Freedman, focuses on providing in-depth analysis and commentary on global political events, policy analysis, and state affairs, with a significant focus on conflicts like the Russo-Ukraine War, tensions between Israel and Gaza, and Russian internal dynamics. It also explores election politics, strategies in conflicts, and broader geopolitical strategies.

Global Politics Policy Analysis Foreign Affairs Military Strategies Geopolitical Conflicts Election Politics Strategy and Tactics Government and Governance

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways

Your guide to watching the US election

63 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Polling Voting Political Analysis
  1. Polls are hard to trust this election because they might be missing certain groups of voters. Some people who usually don’t vote are expected to show up but are less likely to answer polls.
  2. Different states have different rules for counting votes, which can make it tricky to know the results quickly. Some states can count early votes before polls close, while others cannot.
  3. US exit polls are often not very helpful for predicting results. Unlike the UK, they don’t provide clear insight into voting intentions and motivations.

Are Drones the Future of War?

60 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics Conflict War Military Technology Geopolitics
  1. Drones are changing how wars are fought, especially seen in the Russo-Ukraine War. They are becoming more common for spotting and hitting targets without needing a pilot on the front line.
  2. Drones have been used in conflicts for many years, but recent advances have made them easier and cheaper to use. This allows smaller groups or insurgents to use drones to challenge stronger armies.
  3. The technology and tactics of drone warfare are evolving quickly, with both sides in the Ukraine conflict producing millions of drones. They're now often used for direct attacks and support in battle, showing their growing importance in modern warfare.

Why are "missions" proving so difficult?

57 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Reform Public Sector Economy
  1. Missions aim to connect different departments to work together towards common goals, but often get stuck in departmental boundaries instead of collaborating.
  2. Successful missions need to be ambitious and focus on long-term outcomes, even when faced with short-term challenges. This helps justify tough choices today for better results in the future.
  3. Missions should involve everyone in society, not just government, meaning real teamwork and shared ownership are important. This can be tough for bureaucracies that like to control but is key to success.

End of Year Review: the Middle East

56 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East Conflict Diplomacy International relations Security
  1. The Middle East situation has been changing rapidly, especially with Iran's influence weakening and challenges faced by groups like Hamas and the Assad regime in Syria.
  2. Israel's strategy in the Gaza conflict has faced many criticisms, particularly for not clearly defining what victory looks like and for the high civilian casualty rates due to its military approaches.
  3. With leadership changes expected, particularly with Trump returning, the future of Israel-Palestine relations and Iran's stability could shift, bringing new challenges and potential for conflict.

Answering your questions

54 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Legislation Political parties International relations Public Policy
  1. There's a lot of confusion in U.S. politics, making it hard for opposition parties to work together against leaders like Trump or Musk. Without a single leader, responses can be slow and ineffective.
  2. Legal challenges are being used to push back against controversial actions taken by Trump and Musk. Courts are blocking some of their orders, but legal battles often take time, and problems can arise in the meantime.
  3. In the UK, there's a concern about future leaders gaining too much control. It’s important for political parties and civil servants to think ahead and prepare for any potential threats to democracy.
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Can the decline of two-party politics be reversed?

53 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Democracy Government Trust Party Politics
  1. Many people are losing faith in big political parties, and this is happening not just in one country but around the world.
  2. The current electoral system isn't helping this situation, as it can lead to low support for the winning party, making the government seem less legitimate.
  3. There's a need to explore how different voting systems might help rebuild trust in democracy and make majoritarian governments work better.

Everything you need to know about the Spending Review

53 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policy Public Finance Health care
  1. The new budget allows more money for important projects like social housing and green energy, which is a good move.
  2. However, day-to-day spending is mostly staying the same, which means important issues might not get the attention they need.
  3. It's important to think about what each department really needs instead of just labeling them as winners or losers based on budget changes.

How the value divide is challenging Britain's two-party system

45 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Elections Party Dynamics Voter Behavior
  1. The recent UK election showed a split in voter values, making it harder for traditional parties like Labour and Conservatives to win purely by appealing to the center.
  2. The two main parties received their lowest combined vote percentage ever, indicating a rise in other groups like Reform UK and the Greens.
  3. This shift suggests that British politics might be moving towards a more diverse system with multiple parties instead of just two big ones.

War in the AI age

39 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Warfare Ethics Innovation Society
  1. AI is changing how wars are fought, especially with advanced technologies like drones. This creates new strategies and challenges for countries.
  2. The power of AI, especially large language models, is growing rapidly. This shift can change what it means to be human and how we interact with technology.
  3. AI could change negotiations and decision-making by providing vast knowledge and strategies. This might lead to heightened tensions, as AI could decide that conflict is the best solution.

Ask us your questions

21 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Current Events Public Policy International relations Political Commentary
  1. New subscribers are welcomed and encouraged to ask questions about any topics discussed. It's a great way to engage with the content.
  2. Recent topics covered include British politics, U.S. issues, and the situation in Ukraine, highlighting specific challenges and events.
  3. Subscribers can choose to submit their questions either publicly in the comments or anonymously via email for a response later.